Moving is one of the most stressful things you and your family can ever go through. There’s the uncertainty of fitting into a new school, leaving friends and family behind and trying to create a new social circle. There are all of the grownup concerns about the new house, from renovations and repairs you may or may not be ready to tackle, to the pounds of paperwork you’ll have to work through to close on a property. But when the move is long distance, the stresses are amplified. You’ve got to pack intelligently, so that none of your valuables are broken during a long trip. And since most moving companies will charge not only for the amount of stuff you pack but also for how far you’re going, expenses can skyrocket. Many people manage these projects by using a storage facility. Here are five tips to help you best use a storage facility during your long distance move.

First of all, look for a moving company that will include the storage facility in their package. This is crucial if you plan on staging most of your stuff in a storage facility close to the new house, so you’re not overwhelmed with the unpacking. You’ll be able to take your time, moving room to room until the task is complete. But you also don’t want to have to get into bed with a new company, especially when you don’t know exactly how long you’ll need the facility. Most national moving companies also manage storage facilities, so negotiate to have a month or two of storage space included in your agreement.

Before you move anything into a storage facility consider paring down your stuff. Storage facilities charge a monthly fee based on the size of the space. So the more stuff you have, the more storage space you will require, and therefore the more you will spend. This can add up in a hurry, and on top of the closing fees and standard moving costs could eat into the budget of money you set aside for renovations. When packing, make sure you’re not just moving stuff from your basement and attic directly into a storage space without consideration. Hold some yard sales, or sell things you haven’t used in six months to a year on Craigslist. The less you have to store, the better off you’ll be.

Once you’ve rid yourself of the dead weight, be targeted in how you pack. If you hire movers to professionally pack you up, they’re going to use as many boxes as possible. They’ll make more money that way, and decrease the risk of breakage. You don’t want to shove every box full, but if you handle the packing yourself you can take the time to utilize as much of each box as possible. That will cut down on your storage needs, helping you keep a few extra dollars in your pocket.

Regardless of the storage facility that you use, make sure it is well run. The ideal is a climate-controlled facility, so your technological gadgets and precious works of art will avoid damage. You’ll also want a storage facility that has security and a camera system, to keep your stuff safe. Finally, consider taking out insurance on your storage space. The facility may have some sort of policy in place, but remember that the stuff you store there may not be covered under your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance policies.

Finally, consider bringing the storage direct to your new home. If you used Movoto real estate agents they should be able to point you in the right direction. If not, hop online and research some options. You should be able to have storage lockers delivered to your new property and left in the driveway or on the curb. This way you can rent them for as long as is necessary, but you won’t have to drive anywhere to access your stuff. And you can always add or subtract storage space as necessary.